Bound by Fate

Chapter 5

Genevieve

As the bus pulled into the station, a major transfer point, half of the passengers disembarked. The atmosphere inside the bus immediately lightened, and I glanced back through the window, but Vincent's black Hummer was nowhere in sight.

This version of Vincent seemed less fixated on me than the previous one.

With uncertain feelings swirling inside me, I averted my gaze and stared at the bus floor.

The café where I worked wasn't far from school, just four stops away. In my previous life, I worked part-time here regularly. Pushing open the café door, the bell chimed. Behind the counter stood a refined young man, sporting a pirate-style white silk shirt and white pants. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and he greeted me with a smile, "Back again?"

"Manager," I addressed him.

The manager, Noah White, was one of the few people in my previous life who didn't buy into the rumors after my death.

In his twenties, having graduated from college a few years ago, Noah was deeply passionate about Greek Mythology. Instead of pursuing a typical 9-to-5 job after graduation, he used his family's support to open this café, themed around gods, serving coffee, afternoon tea, and simple meals.

A distinctive feature of the café was the Greek goddess outfits worn by the servers. The attire consisted of a thin one-shoulder white satin dress adorned with gold accessories.

Two days ago, during my interview, Noah's eyes had lit up with excitement upon seeing me, and he eagerly urged me to try on the work uniform, coming off a bit too enthusiastic.

Though unfamiliar to me, I was well aware of his eccentricity. I calmly negotiated with Noah, securing a deal where he covered my dinner expenses.

Previously, Noah didn't cover dinner, but after noticing my meager dinner choices, usually just a slice of bread, he took pity on me and started covering my meals. He also discreetly expressed interest in pursuing me, but Vincent promptly shut down his advances when he attempted to woo me.

Prior to my death, I was mostly overlooked by others. All the boys at school knew Vincent was determined to win me over, and with him around, no one dared to challenge him.

However, Vincent mysteriously disappeared from school, leaving everyone puzzled.

Shortly after his disappearance, I fell into a part-time job trap orchestrated by an acquaintance, unaware that it was a setup by someone with ulterior motives who had been eyeing me. With Vincent absent, I found myself in a perilous situation, cornered on the rooftop, and ultimately meeting a tragic end.

After exchanging pleasantries with Noah, I hurried to the back, to enjoy my meal.

Noah always ensured my dinners were not only delicious but also nutritious, perfectly balanced with meat and vegetables. I appreciated his kindness and never took it for granted. Over time, I became the longest-serving employee at the store and attracted attention from male students in the vicinity.

After dinner, I freshened up, changed into my work uniform, and commenced my shift.

Compared to my first day here, there were notably more male customers today. Having experienced this scenario before in my previous life, I remained composed.

Noah had chosen an excellent location for the café, near several universities.

In the past, once I started working here, I quickly gained a reputation as the "Greek Goddess," attracting male students from nearby universities who occasionally visited in groups.

As a result, Noah raised my salary twice, recognizing me as the star attraction. He once confided that he even overheard a table of male customers whispering about me.

"It's her, it's her, I wasn't lying to you guys!"

"Wow, today's visit is totally worth it!"

"I proclaim, from this moment onward, this place is officially my go-to spot for meals!"

By eight-thirty, I wrapped up my shift, and Noah specifically commended, "You've put in a lot of effort." He then added, "Take care on your way back."

I nodded in acknowledgment and stepped out, not intending to linger.

"Manager," I addressed him again. "I'm looking to find some private piano teaching gigs on weekends during the day. If you know of any, could you please recommend me?" It dawned on me that it was already September. I had relocated to the capital with my mom from a nearby small town to attend university, and all the money-making avenues I had in high school had dried up. Now, I found myself tirelessly searching for part-time jobs once again.

Noah, being a local with an extensive network of relatives and friends, often came through with more reliable job leads than what I could find on my own. At the very least, his connections ensured that I avoided any unsavory characters. With this in mind, I didn't wait until we were "more acquainted" to make requests; I felt comfortable enough to ask Noah for assistance right away.

Noah, being the sweet guy, was more than willing to help. Despite only having been here for three days, I had already grown accustomed to interacting with him, which secretly pleased him. He readily agreed, "Of course, I'll give my mom a call later and see if she can assist." I expressed my gratitude and boarded the bus home.

Arriving home, I opened the door to a dimly lit room. The glow from the TV cast an eerie blue hue, giving the room a haunted atmosphere.

My mom suffered from dementia, so while I attended school, I had to confine her to the house all day. Thankfully, when the school provided us with this residence, it came equipped with some old furniture and a functioning TV. Despite its age, the television still served as mom's primary source of entertainment.

"Mom, let's switch on the lights," I said, closing the door and heading to illuminate the room. "Watching TV in the dark isn't good for your eyes."

"Alright, alright," Mom responded. "Let's save electricity."

After a long night at the café, exhaustion weighed heavily on me, yet upon hearing my mom's words, my heart ached, prompting me to approach her. "The weather outside is lovely; let's take a stroll."

Mom had been cooped up indoors all day; it was high time she got some fresh air.

Despite the building's age, it has undergone renovations, including the addition of an elevator. I helped mom into a light jacket and held her hand as we descended into the elevator. From the entrance of the building to the outdoor steps, I had to support her weight.

Mom's mobility was already limited. Walking on level ground posed no issue, but navigating stairs proved challenging. The headline for my enrollment during my first day of school read "Accompanying Mother to School," stemming from this very scenario.

On my first day of school, I did indeed escort my mom into the president's office, much to the president's surprise.

The cool autumn air made the night refreshing, replacing the daytime warmth with a gentle chill. The park behind the building buzzed with neighbors taking leisurely strolls.

While I donned short sleeves, Mom wore long sleeves as we strolled hand in hand through the courtyard. Every now and then, I exchanged nods and greetings with acquaintances.

"Hello, Professor Ray."

"Hello, Uncle John."

In my previous life, I made a point of fostering good relationships with these neighbors. After witnessing the dire situation my mom faced following my death, I grew even closer to each neighbor. When I'm not around, I rely on these neighbors to potentially save my mom's life.

The autumn night sky appeared exceptionally clear, painted in a deep navy blue with an abundance of stars twinkling more prominently than in other seasons. Holding Mom's hand, we walked at a leisurely pace. In a soft, low voice, I inquired if she had eaten well, if her dinner was warm or if she had used the restroom.

Mom could only respond to half of these mundane inquiries at best. Asking too much would only lead to confusion on her part.

I gently arranged her hair and reassured her, "Everything will be alright. I spoke with the manager today, and from now on, I'll come straight home after school, warm up your food, and then head over there."

In my previous life, I carried the weight of two lives on my shoulders, along with the medical expenses for mom's various chronic conditions. I dedicated all my time to earning money. Even the meals I brought for mom were divided into two insulated lunch boxes.

While it was fine at noon, by evening, the food in the lunch boxes would have gone cold.

I was aware of this, but in past life, earning enough to support both of us took precedence. However, after my death, unable to embrace mom once more, I deeply regretted my choices.

After being reborn, I was determined to take better care of mom, even if it meant facing more hardships.

The past two days felt like a test run. Today, I officially informed Noah that I would be working half an hour later than before. During this extra half hour, I could rush home first, warm up mom's food, and then head out.

Mom smiled and assured me, "Don't worry, by the time you come home, the food will be ready."

Dementia patients often process only fragments of information, weaving them into their own reality before responding.

I understood that mom was recalling the time when I used to come home from school and enjoyed her cooking.

Instead of correcting her, I simply held her hand as we strolled leisurely.

Gazing up at the twinkling stars, I lowered my gaze to the ground beneath my feet, gradually receding.

"Mom..." I spoke softly, "I feel so lost."

"There's someone... I don't know what to do about him."

"I used to dislike him, but now I don't."

"But I'm still afraid of him."

"Don't be scared, my dear," mom comforted, patting my hand. "As long as mom is here, you don't have to be afraid, Evie."

I managed a helpless smile and nodded, leaning against her shoulder.

What should I do about Vincent?

That night, while mom drifted into a peaceful slumber, I remained awake, staring at the ceiling. The room was dim, but not as dark as the memories of Vincent's grey eyes haunting my thoughts. Those somber grey eyes seemed like an abyss, a black hole, exerting an irresistible pull that threatened to engulf me completely. I knew that once I fell into their depths, escaping would be nearly impossible.

***

The following day marked Friday. During the class break, I pulled out my pocket notebook to organize my schedule. As I flipped through the pages, I noticed a piano gig scheduled for Saturday morning. Glancing at the address, memories of that particular household flooded my mind, causing me to furrow my brow involuntarily.

As usual, I slipped out quietly before the end of class, navigating through the bustling crowd towards the cafeteria and then onwards to the dormitory building. After attending to all the customers' needs and earning a bit of money, my stomach rumbled with hunger. I dashed to the cafeteria, eager to grab some food.

But suddenly, a hand pressed down on the counter. "Madam, she won't be eating here today," he said, leaning in to speak to the server.

With his sharp nose, defined eyebrows, rugged features, and a hint of a smile playing on his lips, he effortlessly charmed the young woman behind the counter. She straightened up instinctively, stealing a glance at me.

What's going on? Should I still grab my veggies?

Vincent's proximity as he conversed with the server brought him dangerously close to me. His voice seemed to resonate in my ear.

In the past, if he had approached me like this, I would have felt annoyed and jittery, immediately stepping back. But now, I felt tense, my hands on the counter clenched into fists.

"I..." I took a deep breath, attempting to calm myself, then turned to face him. "I haven't eaten yet."

"I know," he replied matter-of-fact. "I've been waiting for you for half a day, and I'm hungry too."

His words left me momentarily speechless. "Do you need something?"

Vincent's smile widened. "You're Genevieve Brown, right? ? I'm Vincent Knight, a senior at SU." Finally, he formally introduced himself.

"I apologize for Tuesday. You didn't have the meal I bought for you, so it's like I owe you one." He chuckled. "I've been searching for you these past few days, wanting to make it up to you. Today, I finally caught you. Don't refuse, let me treat you."

The bus incident made me realize that some things couldn't be avoided; at most, they could be delayed. Whether I had this meal with Vincent sooner or later, it was inevitable. He was relentless in pursuing his goals.

Vincent sensed my cautiousness towards him. After a brief silence, I nodded and said, "Okay."

He looked pleasantly surprised. "What would you like to eat?" Checking his watch, he noted that there was still some time before afternoon classes.

"Just something nearby, nothing too far, sticking to the school area. There's Italian, French cuisine..." he started to suggest options.

Feeling more at ease now that I had agreed to the meal, I spoke up again as Vincent listed more options. "Actually, I'm craving Chili's." My hands rested in my pockets as I made the casual remark.